During the 1930s in the United States, the Works Progress Administration developed the Federal Writers’ Project to support writers and artists while making a national effort to document the country’s shared history and culture. The American Guide series consists of individual guides to each of the states. Little-known authors—many of whom would later become celebrated literary figures—were commissioned to write these important books. John Steinbeck, Saul Bellow, Zora Neale Hurston, and Ralph Ellison are among the more than 6,000 writers, editors, historians, and researchers who documented this celebration of local histories. Photographs, drawings, driving tours, detailed descriptions of towns, and rich cultural details exhibit each state’s unique flavor. Published in 1941, the WPA Guide to Michigan documents the rich history and economies of the Great Lake State. From the Upper Peninsula to the Lower, and the Straits of Mackinac between, the guide features many photographs of the distinctive geography as well as essays about marine lore, architecture, and—in the essay on Detroit—the nation’s burgeoning auto industry.

Michigan is truly a "Great Lake State": the two peninsulas, many islands, and 3,100 miles of shoreline on four of the Great Lakes give the state a unique location and a diverse physical environment. The natural landscape is largely the result of erosion and deposition of surface materials during the Great Ice Age. Glacial ridges alternate with till plains and lake bottoms to give Michigan a varied topography and great contrasts in soil fertility. The book, through the use of text, photographs, and maps (drawn especially for this volume by Sherman Hollander), stresses the relationships between this varied natural resource base and the economic, social, and political geography of Michigan. Emphasis is placed on the demographic character, the historical background, and the natural and human resources that have led to Michigan becoming one of the principal manufacturing states in the United States. The book also looks at agriculture and recreation and tourism, which, along with manufacturing, are the major bases of the state's economic development. The regional coverage focuses on the urban dominance of Detroit. This comprehensive overview of Michigan geography closes with an analysis of some of the major quality of life issues in the state and a short glimpse into the future.

MICHIGAN ENCYCLOPEDIA is the definitive reference work on Michigan ever published. The noted Michigan historian Dr. Matthew Lawrence Daly, Assistant Professor of History at Grand Valley State University, has authored articles on Introduction to Michigan History, Early History of Michigan, and Michigan History. These articles cover the history of Michigan, from the early explorers to twenty-first century events. Other major sections in this reference work are Michigan Symbols and Designations, Geography and Topography of Michigan, Profiles of Michigan Governors, Chronology of Michigan Historic Events, Dictionary of Michigan Places, Michigan Constitution, Bibliography of Michigan Books, Pictorial Scenes of Michigan, State Executive Offices, State Agencies, Departments and Offices, Michigan Senators, Michigan Assembly Members, U.S. Senators and U.S. Congress members from Michigan, Directory of Michigan Historic Places and Index.MICHIGAN ENCYCLOPEDIA contains stunning photographs and portraits to compliment the expertly written text. Population charts are arranged alphabetically by city or town name, and by county. This allows students easy access to find population figures for their area of interest. Other population charts list all places in Michigan by largest populated places to least populated places by city or county. Directories contain the information on elected state and federal officials along with their contact information including mail and email addresses, phone and fax numbers. Easy to use reference maps are included to find your elected state or federal officials. The Directory of State Services lists the head officials and full contact information on state agencies and departments, some of which were just newly created by the legislature. The Directory of Michigan Historic Places contains all the latest up to date information on every Michigan historic place. The Bibliography includes that latest books published on Michigan. A detailed Index makes the work thoroughly referential. MICHIGAN ENCYCLCOPEDIA offers librarians, teachers and students a single source reference work that provides the answers to the most frequently asked questions about Michigan and its history.

The classic reference work that provides annually updated information on the countries of the world.